Maytag's Timed Bleach Injector System

[swestoyz]

I think a few weeks ago there was a discussion about how the TBI system works on a TOL Maytag washer. This system was in place from 1958 through the mid-70's (about the time the 08 series machines came out).

This is a scan from the 1962 revision of the Helical Maytag Repair Manual. The best statement is the first sentence - it is best understood by looking at the diagram! Ran across this earlier today - hope this helps some out (I think Jed was the person who asked the initial question).

Ben

 

[tuthill]

BEN

Thank you very much for this!

 

[toggleswitch2]

It's a true Maytag. Simple, elegant, reliable, classic, trouble-free, enduring and just bit genius.

(Applies to Ben too, but not the "Simple").
*LOL* DUCKS AND RUNS.

 

[bajaespuma]

Ditto!

This has always been one of my favorite bleach dispensers. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this was totally mechanically driven, that there was no electrical solenoid involved. Typical Maytag engineering. They won awards from the US government for engineering aviation parts for WWII planes.

 

[swestoyz]

Toggs - eh, I know us Cancer's can be complicated ;-)

Ken - I remember reading about the engineering efforts of Maytag during the War. Taking a bomber part that was, say, originally 39 parts, and re-creating it with just 13 parts. Tom Smith was a genius, as well as the original Mr. Gyrafoam himself - Howard Snyder. What a great company!

 

[bpetersxx]

Explains it better than I can

But then I`m an idiot

 

[gansky1]

Thanks Ben!

I remember reading this as a kid, over and over in my grandfather's copy of this manual that he kept in the magazine rack next to his chair. Their machine didn't have a bleach dispenser and was I crushed when they discontinued it and went to a simple funnel and hose, I thought I'd never get to see one. Ha!

It's very cool to watch the water level go down when the machine pumps the water out. I love the older style clear canister much better than the newer, opaque plastic replacement parts but the hard plastic ones tended to degrade over time and the port on the side would snap off causing it to wet itself and the floor. The top o-ring gasket can degrade as well and cause a dribble when filled with water (my 160 had this affliction) but that's an easy fix.

The Maytag combo bleach dispenser works much the same way - but uses the churning water action in the drum to provide the flow into the dispenser from the drum and out of the dispenser into the sump.

Brilliant Maytag...a light snuffed out too soon ;-)

 

[toggleswitch2]

Complicated ? Probably not as a Cancer, maybe a bit moody?

Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben.

Calling a person "simple" is calling a person stupid. And we certainly don't want that!



So for the next lesson, how/why (what about its construction) does a Maytag belt function as a clutch?

 

[tuthill]

simple

it slips

 

[tuthill]

don't take me too seriously, just trying to keep it simple

 

[toggleswitch2]

Pardon me dear, your slip is showing!

OK we have established that, how does it slip shen it's supposed to and does not when it should not?

 

[swestoyz]

Smith, again

In his infinite wisdom - created one of the simplest drive mechanisms when he created helical machines (which was re-mastered in the early 60's front the first incarnation of this design that lasted up until 2007).

Very simple principle - and is much easier to explain when looking, again, at the diagram.

When the motor is turning clockwise, the belt tension tightens up and pulls the drive down along the helix. This causes the machine to start agitating as the drive pulley is only spinning the agitate shaft at this point. During this mode, no slippage of the belt is needed. The motor glide is completely slid outward against the stop due to the force, and direction, of the motor spinning the belt.

The magic happens in the spin - and why the Maytag drive mechanism is so much easier to work on vs. say a GE.

When the timer energizes the counter-clockwise rotation, it causes the motor pulley to start slipping in the belt. This is only possible because of the gliding motor mount. The mount naturally slides inward during the initial start-up due to the large amounts of torque applied to the belt. The belt is made of a special material that allows it to 'slip' inside the motor pulley - ever so slowly spinning the drive pulley. During this time the helix has hit the stop and is causing the brake package and transmission to start spinning. Overtime the torque of the motor causes the belt to start grabbing at the pulley, and causes the tub to start spinning faster and faster - and at the same time the motor glide starts to slide outwards, allowing the pulley to grab the belt more, and more.

I wish I had the repair manual available Steve - it does a MUCH better job of describing this than my 2nd hand knowledge.

Let me know if you have any other questions ~

Ben

 

[swestoyz]

FYI - Patent found

While digging through Google patents for a picture to help tell Steve about the Maytag motor set-up, ran across this GREAT patent for the TBI! Take a look;

http://www.google.com/patents?id=k_...ith&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=0_1#PPA1,M1

 

[tuthill]

Thanks again Ben, your 'tag wisdom is much appreciated.

 

[toggleswitch2]

TYVM!